The North of Scotland was the birthplace of the famous geologist, Hugh Miller, who collected in the North East of Scotland. Apart from Skye, this is only the second area in Scotland where you can collect Jurassic fossils such as ammonites and reptile remains along the coast. This is due to a fault known as the Helmsdale Fault. Helmsdale is a classic location where you can see the impact of a major ancient tsunami. This area of Scotland is also famous for the Scottish Fish, which are so highly praised over and in superb condition. Achanarras Quarry is a classic site, in which only recently a new species of fish has been discovered, and at Thurso, the rocks are full fish remains.

Thurso is famous for its rich fish beds, fish remains and scales can be found everywhere along the foreshore, the rocks are full. Fish teeth and complete fish are also found. The foreshore can be slippery and the rocks are extremely hard.

Achanarras, once the quarry that was constantly yielding complete fish has been disused for many years, now over collected but still highly rich in remains. Complete fish can still be found but are now rare. Permission is required to enter.

Within the Jurassic rocks on the foreshore, specially by the Brora river, ammonites and shells can be found. You will need to split the rocks, but many of them contain fossils. Suitable for families and children.

The Official ‘Hugh Miller Trail’. Hugh Miller was one of the most important Scottish Geologists of the 19th Century. Ammonites and fish can be found here. The footpath down to the shore was opened up by Hugh Miller himself.

The tall Jurassic cliffs along the Brora River yield ammonites and belemnites. You will need wellington boots as the river runs next to the cliff faces. Ammonites can be seen exposed on the ledges and platforms beside the river.

Baile an Or is ideal for families and children, set in beautiful scenery, you can pan for gold. There is actually quite a lot of gold though they are tiny grains. However some people have collected enough gold to make a wedding ring and other jewelry.

Just below the famous Castle of Dunrobbin, Golspie, not many would imagine ammonites and complete fish to be found on the foreshore. This location is suitable for all the family but will need the right conditions to find anything.

What looks like an ordinary rocky beach, covered in seaweed is actually rich in ammonites and shells, though you need to work to find them. At Portgower the rocks exposed are from the Jurassic and if split can yield flat ammonites and shells.

A Jurassic Fault along the Balintore foreshore is well exposed, Oysters are quite common here, but belemnites can also be found. During the right conditions, ammonites can also be found. The cliffs here are Devonian.

This large working quarry works the famous 'Caithness Flagstone'. You will need permission to enter Spittal Quarry. Fish can be found within the flagstone slabs on the spoil heaps, there is a vast amount of material to look through.

Kimmeridge clay is exposed on the foreshore at Lothbeg, ammonites can be found along with occasional shells. Plants can also be found from the soft yellow beds near Lothbeg point. Reptile remains have also been found in the past.

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